Review of Stoker (2013) by Thomas W — 23 Jun 2013

Stoker is smart, stylish, stunningly shot cinema that is unfortunately (too) short. Korean director Chan-wook Park (Oldboy) makes his English-language debut with Stoker, a film about odd-ball high school outcast India (Mia Wasikowska - Alice in Wonderland, Jane Eyre) whose life has just been turned upside down by the death of her beloved father (Dermot Mulroney - My Best Friend's Wedding) in an automobile accident that in turn brings about the arrival of her Uncle Charlie (Matthew Goode - Watchmen, A Single Man) whom she never knew existed.

Concerned and confused by the friendly relationship her uncle takes up with her "grieving" mother (Nicole Kidman - To Die For, Moulin Rouge), her mysterious uncle begins to occupy many of her thoughts and she becomes increasingly uncomfortable with this new arrival.

As people in their lives begin to disappear, fear and dread creep into the film as India perceives danger on the horizon as more is revealed about Uncle Charlie's past. The three leads do quite a good job playing their parts -- all slightly ambiguous and slightly mysterious while always cool, calm and collected.

The cinematography and open shots are beautiful and the camera work adds to the film's spooky mystery. The film's final third feels rushed and this is the film's flaw. The film begins as a slow-build as the tension (excellently) mounts but than hurriedly concludes with some less-than-convincing final moments.

The film will not be for everyone as much of it comes across as dreamlike while India's uncertainty plays out onscreen. I wanted more ... just as I want more films from Chan-wook Park.